David Hesch is in his 12th season on the Bulls’ coaching staff. After serving as the program’s assistant for four years, Hesch was promoted to associate men’s soccer coach in September 2005. Hesch was promoted to Interim Head Coach in August 2011 following the announcement that John Astudillo was taking a medical leave of absence. With Astudillo formally announcing his retirement in the Spring, Hesch will remain at the helm of the Bulls in 2012.

In his role, Hesch is the program’s recruiting coordinator as well as the primary leader in the day-to-day operations of the program. In that capacity, he helps oversee the scouting of opponents, assists in all training sessions and is responsible for the video analysis used by the Bulls in their match preparation. 

For his first season as the interim head coach, the Bulls finished third in the Mid-American Conference with an 8-8-2 overall record (3-2-1 in the MAC). The win total was the most for the team since the 2008 season. The team upset 18th-ranked Northern Illinois 2-1 at home and Andy Tiedt has been named to the All-Mid-American Conference Second Team to provide the season with plenty of highlights. 

Prior to UB, Hesch was the head coach of Lake Erie College in 2000 where he guided the team to a third-place finish in the National Small College Tournament. Hesch also spent a season as the assistant men’s soccer coach at Cazenovia and has coached the Premier Club Syracuse Blitz to four New York State West Championships. 

Hesch is involved in the Western New York soccer scene at numerous levels. Since moving to Buffalo , Hesch is the Director of Coaching for Buffalo Blackwatch, a new soccer club in WNY where he oversees all player and coach development and progress. In addition, Hesch is the founder/manager of Raise Your Level LLC. - a company set up to develop children of all ages into quality soccer players. This past summer, Hesch guided the Western New York Open Men’s Soccer Team to its third straight medal in the Empire State Games.  

As a player, Hesch was the 1997 first overall selection in the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) after attending St. Bonaventure. In 1998, he was a member of the United States Indoor Soccer League (USISL) Delaware Wizards when they won the Metro Division Championship. 

Hesch is a native of Liverpool , NY and graduated from Liverpool High School . He currently lives in Grand Island, NY with his wife, Kate, and daughters, Natalie and Addison.  He holds a USSF “B” Coaching License.